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KLUNK
KLUNK

2019 Volkswagen Atlas

The Verdict

28 Check Engine

The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas has 474 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (151 complaints) and body (149 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 28/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Volkswagen Atlas, consider the 2020 model year which has 94% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2020 has 94% fewer complaints

View the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas dashboard →

28

Klunk Score: Check Engine

More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 4

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

22V152000 AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may c...

Risk

A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will secure and, as necessary, replace any the front door wiring harnesses showing a fault code, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact V...

Reported Apr 11, 2026

19V218000 AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas and 2020 Passat vehicles. An incorrect driver and/or front passenger side impact air bag may have been installed.

Risk

In an event of a side impact crash, an incorrect side airbag may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Volkswagen has inspected and replaced the side air bags, free of charge. The recall was completed in April 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's nu...

Reported Apr 11, 2026

19V614000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The suction jet in the fuel tank may have been welded in the incorrect position allowing fuel to leak. Add...

Risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswa...

Reported Apr 11, 2026

23V671000 AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Atlas vehicles. The driver's side impact air bag may be missing a weld at the side air bag housing.

Risk

The driver's side impact air bag could deploy improperly or detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver's side impact air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298...

Reported Apr 10, 2023

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
201898661581239
2019149721518121
2020641241
2021102921721058
2022294353572
2023251050513
20244934423514
20252059710

By Category

Electrical
151
Body
149
Engine
81
Brakes
72
Transmission
21

By Severity

1
229
2
232
3
6
4
7

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

During routine rear brake service, my mechanic discovered that both rear coil springs were broken on my 2019 Volkswagen Atlas with approximately 111,000 miles. There had been no noticeable symptoms, unusual noises, or changes in handling to indicate a suspension problem. I have since learned that Volkswagen previously issued NHTSA Safety Recall 18V904000 (VW recall 42J3) for premature rear coil spring failures on certain 2018–2019 Atlas vehicles. However, my VIN ([XXX]) is not listed as having an open recall. The failure of both rear springs raises serious concerns about the durability and safety of these components, particularly given Volkswagen's history of similar failures. Broken coil springs can potentially shift out of position, damage tires, or compromise vehicle handling. In all my years of owning vehicles from numerous manufacturers, including several that accumulated significantly more mileage than this Atlas, I have never experienced a coil spring failure, let alone the failure of both rear springs. I am reporting this incident because I am concerned that the defect may extend beyond the vehicles included in the original recall. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether additional 2019 Atlas vehicles may be affected by premature rear coil spring failures. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

5d ago
Electrical 1

Digital instrument cluster is not working.

12d ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormally loud rumbling sound coming from the front of the vehicle. Additionally, the steering wheel made an abnormal clicking sound while making a turn. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics on several occasions to be diagnosed, but the contact was informed that no failure was found. The failure became progressively worse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with steering rack and pinion failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V590000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered because the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

24d ago
Engine 2

Vehicle would stall out of no where every time I would accelerate or put into reverse. Sometimes when I turned into intersections it would stall out. There was no check engine light until over a week later stating evap system charcoal canister. This has happened multiple times, even after being replaced it goes bad again. It’s dangerous when I stall in the middle of traffic especially with having my children with me. I lose all power to the vehicle when it stalls

1mo ago
Body 1

The steering wheel does a lot of shaking when turning or on any bumps/holes on the road/highway. The car tremors as the steering wheel shakes. Noisy tremors. And the wheels feel as if they wobble. This has recently been diagnosed at a independent mechanic but can be inspected if necessary. The dealer has not seen the car nor is insurance or police involved been yet. No warnings other than all the tremors and noise from the car. Not sure when they first started.

1mo ago
Electrical 1

The plastic seat-release and folding handles on both sides of the second-row seats completely fractured, crumbled, and fell apart under ordinary hand pressure while attempting to fold the seats to install and access child safety restraint systems. This component failure exposes sharp plastic shards, which caused physical scratches/cuts to the operator, and physically restricts rapid or predictable access to the rear rows containing child car seats.Furthermore, the vehicle experiences structural electronic malfunctions where the central infotainment display and the backup-camera screen completely black out unexpectedly while operating, creating sudden blind spots.These defects exist simultaneously alongside two active, unrepaired manufacturer safety recalls on this vehicle: Recall 69FB (NHTSA 23V215) for a Passenger Occupant Detection System airbag malfunction, and Recall 45J6 (NHTSA 22V815) for a Tire Pressure Monitoring System software defect that fails to alert the operator to a sudden loss of pressure in all four tires.The combination of shattered child restraint access handles, erratic backup camera failures, and active unresolved safety software recalls creates an ongoing, extreme liability and safety hazard for occupants and young children. The broken physical components have been fully retained and the defects are available for inspection upon request.

1mo ago
Engine 1

Vehicle’s error stop sensor is no longer working: vehicle manages to just completely shut off mid traffic. Also, fuel tank failure. We put gas in it, but it doesn’t show the correct gas level in it. And we’re putting gas in it every day in order to think we have enough gas.

1mo ago
Body 1

The car began to make a clacking or popping sound in the steering rack area. Mostly at slow speeds, when turning. The car began exhibiting a steering wobble at very slow speeds, but felt loose at higher speeds. Initially I believed it might be a worn tie rod, but upon inspection I found the entire steering rack to be loose from the subframe. There is a recall bulletin for a corroded bolt that may break loose from the rack/subframe, but currently it is not showing for my vin. I believe that this exact issue is effecting my vehicle and would like for the steering rack for my vin to be included and to be repaired under the recall.

1mo ago
Body 2

May 2026 The entire steering rack assembly required replacement by the Volkswagen dealer. The vehicle was purchased from new in 2019. I’m the original owner of the vehicle, do mostly highway driving, and I have always serviced the vehicle appropriately. This was an expensive repair and seems rather unusual. I was notified that there are many complaints from owners for this type of problem.

1mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced under a recall, the dealer discovered that the front passenger's side stabilizer bar end links were missing. The contact associated the failure with Volkswagen Service Action Code: 40R1 (Front Stabilizer Coupling Rod); however, the dealer informed the contact that the repair was not covered because the VIN was not included in the service action. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that prior to the dealer's assessment, the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound while driving and making sharp turns. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the front stabilizer bar was missing on the passenger's side and there were open holes. The manufacturer, Volkswagen, was notified of the failure by phone and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

1mo ago
Electrical 2

My air bag light came on and said I have code b121400. It indicates that the passenger occupant seat sensor is not communicating/working. I see this issue was identified as a recall for similar vehicles but did not include my car. NHTSA ID: 22v815000

1mo ago
Electrical 2

No accidents light just turn on saying airbag error light came on. no airbag was deployed.

1mo ago
Engine 2

My vehicle is having a catalytic converter problem. I see that there was a recall on my exact make model and year but my vehicle is not on the list. This part is failing long before it should. There is a 0420 code.

2mo ago
Engine 2

Engine/Fuel injectors causing SUV to cut off at intersections or backing up in road causing a safety risk of getting hit and I know because it has happened to me.

2mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, the driver's side of the vehicle was leaning. The failure had occurred while the contact and minor children were on vacation and were traveling. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a detached coil spring. The contact was informed that the coil spring was fractured in half. Additionally, a piece of the detached coil spring was sitting next to the driver's rear tire. The contact was informed that all the coil springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

2mo ago
Electrical 1

The airbag error light in the vehicle came on. I took it to the dealership where the vehicle was purchased. They are charging $300.+ per hour to repair the issue. The vehicle has never been in an accident. The airbag has never been deployed.

2mo ago
Electrical 1

The infotainment display in this vehicle intermittently fails to power on, most often at startup. When this occurs, the screen remains dark while audio and physical controls continue to function. The vehicle sometimes must be restarted, and the display does not always return. When the display is dark, the rearview camera image is unavailable. This defect first occurred approximately three weeks after the vehicle was purchased as a manufacturer Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, and it remains unresolved. The most recent occurrence was yesterday, Jul 25 2026. At least 15 video recordings document the failure between October 2024 and the present, along with complete service records. On multiple occasions the display and rearview camera were already non-functional from vehicle startup, and the vehicle was subsequently reversed without a rear camera image because no camera-equipped alternative was available. On more than one of these occasions, this resulted in a near-miss with another vehicle or object. The dealer has confirmed and reproduced the underlying fault on more than one occasion. In October 2024, a stored fault code was found in the infotainment control module and the module was replaced under manufacturer warranty; the display failure continued unchanged afterward. In May 2026, the wiring harness between the control module and the display was replaced under manufacturer warranty after the manufacturer diagnosed an internal failure in the harness; the manufacturer's own repair record states the repair was tested and verified over a 3-mile road test, and the failure recurred within weeks. The vehicle and its service history are available for inspection upon request. The manufacturer has been notified in writing that this defect presents a safety issue due to loss of rearview camera function, and has not directly addressed that concern in its written responses.

3mo ago
Electrical 2

I was stopped at a drive thru window and as I reached out to get my food, the window rose up by itself. As I drove home over the next ten minutes, the locks locked and unlocked by themselves and the windows rolled down and up by themselves. Warning lights came on and then went off, including "Fault: Electronic parking brake," and "Error:Airbag." The dash screen went off for a few seconds and then came back on.

3mo ago
Body 1

Struts but were told it's either stabilizer or steering rod

3mo ago
Engine 2

Vehicle has been to VW at least 10 times for same issue since 2021. Stalls at low speeds like in traffic or driving around neighborhood, and while decelerating from higher speeds causing a dangerous safety issue. Several components replaced some like the fuel evap canister and purge valve numerous times. Symptoms clear up for days or weeks at a time and than return. VW has been unable to correct this or or find cause, has had an “engineer” from VW look at it and cannot correct cause, only symptoms which than return. Evap canister and purge valve replaced numerous times, fuel tank and pump replaced, computer system flashed, nothing fixes the problem completely. Transmission was just replaced at less than 63k miles and failed again within 6 months second replacement just completed for transmission, VW had my truck from 4/30/2026 until 6/10/2026 and was unable to correct the stalling sputtering issue, and transmission continues to shift gears extremely hard at lows speed. The stalling issue is absolutely ridiculous that no solution can be found and the extended warranty VW provided because they can’t fix this runs out on the 31st of this month. I was only able to fix load 10!images of my work orders I have several kore if I can provide them somehow please let me know

3mo ago

474 total

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